Tijjani Reijnders has openly admitted that financial security was a major factor behind his decision to leave Manchester City for Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah during the summer transfer window, revealing that his lucrative contract could secure the future of his family for generations.
The Netherlands international completed his move to Al-Qadsiah in August 2026, ending his Manchester City career after just one season at the Etihad Stadium. The transfer was reported to be worth around €61 million, with City confirming that Reijnders had left the club on a permanent deal.
Talking about his recent move to the Saudi Pro League, Reijnders revealed that the amount offered by Al Qadsiah during conversations regarding the transfer was something that would be hard to resist.
“It’s money for generations of my family. You can’t turn down that amount of money. It’s for generations.”
Tijjani Reijnders, Netherlands and Al Qadsiah midfielder
Reijnders had joined City from AC Milan in June 2025 after an impressive two-year spell in Italy. City signed him on a five-year contract, with the midfielder arriving after being named Serie A’s Best Midfielder for the 2024/25 season.
The midfielder added that the amount he earns will be enough for him not to work after he hangs his boots.
“Once my playing career is over, I don’t want to have to work anymore. Of course, I probably wouldn’t have needed to work anymore after my contract at Manchester City either, but this move allows me to secure the future of the next generations of my family.”
Tijjani Reijnders
Reijnders’ comments came as he explained the financial thinking behind his decision to swap one of Europe’s biggest clubs for the Saudi Pro League. Reports indicate that his Al-Qadsiah contract is worth around €100 million over the length of the deal, translating to approximately €20 million annually for five years.
That figure puts his earnings at roughly €385,000 per week, making the move financially significant even by the standards of elite European football.
“I’m not going to lie about that. By signing this contract, I can make sure even my grandchildren are financially secure, so why wouldn’t I do it?”
Tijjani Reijnders, The Netherlands and Al Qadsiah midfielder
He made 50 appearances for the the Cityzens and scored seven goals across all competitions, while helping City win both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
His departure also represented a substantial change in direction. Reijnders had initially spoken enthusiastically about fulfilling his childhood ambition of playing in the Premier League after moving to City, describing the competition as a dream for a footballer.
Yet after one season in England, the 28-year-old decided that the opportunity presented by Al-Qadsiah was worth pursuing. Concerns over regular playing at Citytime also contributed to his decision to explore a move elsewhere.
Reijnders Leaves Door Open for Europe Return
Reijnders has not described the Saudi move as the end of his ambitions in European football. Instead, he believes his spell in Saudi Arabia could eventually lead to a return to Europe.
He revealed that conversations with Al-Qadsiah coach Brendan Rodgers helped convince him that the move did not necessarily mean ending his career at the highest level in Europe. “He said I could have three or four very enjoyable years here and then return to Europe. There are enough examples of that now and that is my goal too,” Reijnders said.
The midfielder has also defended the standard of the Saudi Pro League, arguing that it should not automatically be viewed as a step away from serious football. He said he currently rates the competition highly and believes people should watch the league before judging its quality.
For now, however, the focus is firmly on Al-Qadsiah and the financial security his contract provides. Reijnders has made no attempt to disguise the importance of the money involved, instead presenting the decision as one that could benefit not only himself but also generations of his family.
After moving from AC Milan to Manchester City for around €55 million in 2025, Reijnders has now completed another major transfer just 14 months later.
The move to Al-Qadsiah therefore marks a dramatic shift in the midfielder’s career path with the opportunity of earning around €100 million and create long-term financial security for his family was too significant to ignore.
Reijnders is currently in camp with the Oranje as they prepare for the UEFA Nations League assignments for the September-October international break.
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